Reel for drying thread or the like



y 1940. L. J. JORDAN 2,2 7,739

REEL FOR DRYING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed March 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

lnnentor jlnueau J. Jonpmv attorney July 16, 1940. 1.. J. JORDAN 2,207,739

REEL FOR DRYING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed larch 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I Lnvtnn J. Jana/m fiwa @Wm:

Gttomeg Parent calla]; 1c, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,207,789 REEL roa name mum on Thanks Application March 9, 37, Serial N0. 129,886

6 Claims.

This invention relates to thread store devices on which filaments, threads, tapes, bands, tubes and similar articles, hereinafter referred to as "thread or the like," may, by the action of the 5. elements of the device, be continuously wound and longitudinally advanced in a plurality of helical or generally helical turns. Among other things, the invention concerns improvements on reels of the type shown, described and claimed in 1 British Patent No. 413,414. Such reels, broadly speaking, comprise two rigid, generally cylindrical members mounted with their axes slightly offset from and inclined to each other, the. periphery of each generally cylindrical member comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members alternating with the bar members of the other generally cylindrical member. I

The invention relates particularly-to thread store devices; specifically reels of the type above 0 described, upon which thread or the like may be dried. It has been found by experiment that the rate of drying of the thread or the like on such a reel is a function of the extent of the -contact between the thread or the like and the. Q bar members of the reel. To take advantage of form drying throughout its entire length. This application is in part a continuation of appliw cation Serial No. 61,954, filed February 1, 1936,

' for "Reel.

While the in'vention is equally applicable to the drying of thread or the like manufactured by cuprammonium, cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose w and other processes, it will be described hereinafter as applied to the drying of multiple filament thread manufactured by the viscose process.

In the drawings, in which are shown ,two different embodiments of -the invention and in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, Figure 1 is a vertical section with parts in elevation through one form of drying reel embodying features of the invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof, parts being shown 50 as broken away; and Figure 3 is a section on line 3-4 of. Figure 1 Figure 4 is a section with parts in elevation through a different drying'reel embodying features of the invention; Figure 5 is an end elevation thereof; and Figure 6 is a as partial section of the distributing means by which shaft ii.

a heating medium may be supplied to the reel of Figures 4 and 5.

'A reel embodying features of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. 'I'hereel therein shown comprises two generally cylindrical mem- 5*- bers 9 and Ill. Member 9, which may be termed the concentric member," is mounted concentrically upon and for rotation with hollow drive Its periphery is comprised of a plu rality of longitudinally extending bar members 10 i 2. Member III, which may be termed the eccentric member," is rotatably mounted with its axis slightly oflfset from and inclined to that of member 9. It has a periphery comprised of a plurality of bar members i3 disposed alternately to bar members i2 of concentric member 9.

Concentric member 9, as illustrated in Figure 3, is of rigid, integral construction, preferably of die-cast aluminum. It comprises a cylindrical body portion ii on the periphery of which are to formed longitudinally extending bar members i2 which, as shown, are separated by slots l5. Body portion H of member 9 may be made hollow, as shown, forming in eifect a thick walled annular reinforcing member for the bar members i2. Body portion ll may if desired be provided with an integral hub it by means of which the member 9 may be concentrically mounted on drive shaft il. Member 9 is caused to rotate with drive shaft Ii by any suitable 80 means such as that shown, comprising a slot I! in hub it into which slot projects a driving ll, the number of which is preferably equal to 49 that of bar members 12 of member 9. The bar members ii are fixed at one end to an annular supporting ring 25, which serves to support the bar members as well as to reinforce them. A high degree of rigidity can be imparted to these endsupported members by the annular rib 26 fixed to the opposite ends of bar members i3. Member 24, as well as annular supporting member 22, may be and preferably is of die-cast aluminum construction, in which case annular reinforcing rib 26, as well as the annular supporting and reinforcing ring 25, may be formed integrally with the bar members l3.

Eccentric member iii is mounted with its axis in the desired oifset and inclined relation to the to the axis of its internal surface, thus providing the desired inclination of the axes of the two reel members 9 and I0. Supporting member 22 rotates upon a sleeve 28 carried by bushing 29,

' which sleeve 28 is disposed in the same offset and inclined relation as the external surface of bushing 29.

If desired, there may be provided a suitable lubricating system such as that shown, which comprises a lubricant fitting 3i communicating through channels 32, 39 and 34 with the lubricant grooves 35.

To protect that portion of the reel mechanism at the junction of the generally cylindrical members 9 and I0 and to prevent the escape of lubricant, suitable sealing means may be provid- I ed. Since there is relative oscillating movement between the two generally cylindrical members 9 and II), the sealing member should preferably be flexible. A flexible bellows-like sealing member 39 which may take the form shown in Figure 1 has been found satisfactory. As can be seen from the drawing, the sealing member 39 may be fastened to reel member If! by being clamped between the cage-like member 24 and annular supporting member 22 of reel member. ID, a washer 4| being clamped therewith if desired to equalize the clamping pressure. Sealing member 39 may be fastened to reel member 9 by mounting it on a portion of the hub IS, a sleeve 42 being provided if desired.

Rotation of the drive shaft Ii causes the concentric reel member 9 mounted thereon to rotate therewith, whereupon contact of the bar members l2 of this reel member with the bar members I3 of eccentric reel member ID causes the latter reel medium, which may be heated air, is supplied to the interior of the reel through hollow drive shaft H. Ports 45 in drive shaft I I communicate with the chamber 46 in the interior of body portion l4. Holes 41 in the walls of body portion i 4 communicate with the exterior of the reel and thus permit the processing medium to reach the thread stored on the reel. The holes 41 may be of such number and so positioned, preferably between bar members l2, that they supply processing medium over substantially the entire circumference of the reel and for a substantial length of the reel. It is desirable to make the walls 48 of body portion i 4 relatively thick, considerably thicker, in fact, than strength requirements make necessary. The presence of a substantial mass of metal aids in drying the thread, providing a high heatcapacity which helps level out temperature differences.

It is desirable, further, to provide an enclosure about the reel to prevent excessive consumption of the drying medium. In Figures 1 and 2 is shown a chamber 50 in which the front wall 5| andpart of the top wall 52 are formed integrally.

When the chamber is opened, it is a simple matter to start the thread on the reel at the rear thereof water.

and, after the thread has progressed across the reel, to lead it out at the front of the chamber, as

through slot 53. When the chamber is closed,

interference of the thread with the vt'op wall I2 of the chamber is prevented by a suitably shaped slot 54 therein, while the slot 53 in the bottom of the chamber may be substantially closed by the extending portion- 55 at the bottom of the front portion 5|. 1

The construction of the reel disclosed in Fig-e ures 4 and 5 is generally similar to that of the reel in Figures 1 to 3, the principal, difference being that the reel of Figures 4 and 5 has a closed heating system through which hot water is circulated.

ing bar members 63; similarly, reel member 64 embodies bar, members 66. Bar members 66 upon the exterior of reel member 64 are flared in transverse cross section, as shown, so that they are considerably wider at their outer surfaces than elsewhere. Due to their flared formation,

the periphery of each bar member 66 nearly bridges the space between the peripheries of the bar members 63,thus presenting a broad thread bearing surface. The fact that the thread has an increased length of contact with the outer surfaces of bar members 66 makes it possible to dry the thread with a smaller consumption of heating medium than if the bar members were of rectangular cross section.

Hollow shaft 61, upon which reel member 64 is concentrically mounted, communicates with chamber through openings 68. Extending lengthwise along the interior of-shaft 61 and spaced concentrically therefrom by sleeve H is a conduit 10. Openings 12 provide communication between conduit I0 and chamber 65. It is desirablethat openings 12 and 68 open into opposite ends of chamber 65, so that a flow of fluid throughout the length of the chamber will result. I

The direction of flow is preferably from conduit 10, through openings 12, into chamber 65, through openings 68 and thence out through the hollow shaft 61.

Since the shaft 61 and conduit 18 bothrotate, means must be provided to establish communication between each of them and the exterior pipes .without interfering with the rotation of the shafts. For this purpose they extend into a coupling block I3 mounted upon the frame of the apparatus. interior chambers 14 and 15 by a partition". Chamber 14 preferably is in communication with Coupling block 13 is divided into two a hot water supply pipe I1 and chamber 15 is connected to a pipe 18 for the discharge of the cold Shaft 61, which communicates with the chamber 15, is sealed by the packing gland 19 against leakage from the coupling block 13. Conduit I0 is sealed by packing gland 80 against cage-like member forming part of the eccentric 7 ing member forming part of the eccentric reel member presents no difiiculties in either case. Elements so die-cast require very little, if any, finishing before final assembly, since they can be cast to a high degree of accuracy and smoothness. In addition, the casting of the reelmembers results in lower costs for the reels in cases where large numbers of reels are to be made, great uniformity as to size, shape, and manner oi operation; and a high degree of rigidity, as

well as other advantages.

While two reels have been described both of which are adapted to use in connection with the processing or artificial silk thread, such reels are not necessarily restricted to such employment, but find a wide variety of uses in other fields. Various modifications in the reels shown, and various other reels embodying the invention, may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the appended claims, the term thread or the like" is intended to include, besides thread, filaments, tapes, bands, tubes and similar articles which may be wound on reels of this type. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features oi patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is: V

1. Incombination with means supplying a heating medium thereto, a unitary-thread-advancing reel for drying thread or the like comprising a first reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members, a second reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members flared to present relatively. broad thread-bearing surfaces, and means mounting said reel members for rotation in displaced relation with the bar members of one real member interdigitating with those of the other, one 01' saidreel members having walls of high heat conductivity and, formed within said walls, a cavity for the reception of said heating medium.

2. In combination with means supplying a v heating medium thereto, a unitary thread-adthose of the other, one of said reel members hav-- vancing reel for drying thread or the like comprising a first reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members, a second reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar memeers flared to present relatively broad thread-bearing surfaces, and means mounting said reel members for rotation in ofl'set and inclined relation with the bar members of one reel member interdigitating with ing walls of high heat conductivity and, formed within said walls, a cavity for the reception of said heating medium.

.3. In combination with means supplying: a heating medium thereto, a unitary thread-advancing reel for drying thread or the like comprising a first reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members, a second reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members, and means mounting said reel members for rotation in displaced relation with the bar members of one reel member interdigitating with those of the other, one of said reel members being of massive con struction, having walls thickened considerably beyond the requirements of strength to provide a high heat storage capacity, and having a cavity formed within said walls for the reception 0! said heating medium.

- 4 In combination with means suipplying a heating medium thereto, a unitary thread-advancing reel for drying thread or the like comprising a first reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinallyextending bar members, a second reel member embodying a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members, and means mounting said reel members for rotation in on.- set and inclined relation with the bar members of one reel member interdigitating with those ception of said heating medium.

5. In combination with means for supplying heat from an external source of energy, a unitary thread-advancing reel for drying thread or the like comprising two interdigitating reel members mounted for rotation in displaced relation each 01' which embodies a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members and one 01' which embodies a-hollow body of high heat capacity to the interior of which heat is supplied from said external source of energy, the bar members oi the latter reel member being solid in cross-section, rigidly. mounted on said hollow body, and flared to present relatively broad thread-bearing surface.

6. In combination with means for supplying heat from an external source of energy, a unitary thread-advancing reel for drying thread or the likecomprising two' interdigitating reel members mounted for rotation in oflset and inclined relation each of which embodies a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members and one of which embodies a hollow body of high heat capacity to the interior of which heat is supplied from said external source of energy, the bar members of the latter reel member being solid in cross-section, rigidly mounted on said hollow body, and flared to present relatively broad thread bearing surfaces.

LAVERN J. JORDAN. 

